Woody Allen films have been an up and down proposition these last few years. His most recent project, Scoop, barely made a blip at the box office and received decidedly mixed reception (though I believe it is his best film in years). Prior to that, his resume includes stuff like Melinda and Melinda, Match Point, Anything Else and Hollywood Ending. Its pretty clear that he's not going to be a huge money maker. What can sometimes happen, though, is that Allen will capture the fancy of critics during awards season - as was seen with Match Point in 2006. This is what the Weinsteins will bank on as they release Cassandra's Dream just in time for consideration for the 2007 season.

The movie is set in present-day London and surprisingly, does not feature recent Allen muse Scarlett Johansson. Instead, this is a thriller about two brothers (Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell) who are desperately attempting to make their lives better. Their circumstances are not great - one is an inveterate gambler and the other is head over heels with a young actress he has only just met. As they attempt to make changes, they become tangled in a messy situation that can only lead to tears.

Along with McGregor and Farrell, Cassandra's Dream also features Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson and Sally Hawkins (Layer Cake). Given the year they've had, the Weinsteins are almost certainly hoping for this Woody Allen film to be a quality picture that they can push for its critical reception - because they can't really be in it for the cash. (Kim Hollis/BOP)